Urine mutagenicity and biochemical parameters as markers of exposure to petroleum pitch using a rat model.
A petroleum pitch sample collected in a carbon electrode factory was studied using a series of in vivo assays for genotoxicity and enzymatic induction capability. Rats were treated with the petroleum derivative in three doses: 100, 50, and 10 mg/kg body weight. The treatment produced a rapid excretion of mutagenic substances in the urines of the first 24 hr only in rats treated with high doses (100 and 50 mg/kg). No faecal mutagenic activity was observed. Analyses of urinary thioethers showed that urinary metabolites derived from the compounds present in the pitch-sample at the lowest dose-administered (10 mg/kg) were eliminated primarily as cysteine conjugates. The pitch sample was found to be a good inducer of pulmonary and hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, especially after a 50 mg/kg dose. Urinary D-glucaric acid content was always statistically increased in treated animals compared with controls, confirming the enzymatic induction activity. Hepatic glutathione-S-transferase activity increased following treatment with 50 and 10 mg/kg doses.
Pasquini
R
R
Department of Hygiene, University of Perugia, Italy.
Monarca
S
S
Scassellati Sforzolini
G
G
Savino
A
A
Fatigoni
C
C
Puccetti
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D005937:Glucaric Acid / Q000652:urine; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000652:urine*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013440:Sulfides / Q000652:urine
D015415:Biomarkers; D009153:Mutagens; D010578:Petroleum; D013440:Sulfides; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005937:Glucaric Acid